Module 10: Professional Practice

Professional Development of the Workforce

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Outcome C: The student will justify the need for on-going professional development.

The learning outcomes for this section address topics from the following WACs:

Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers170-295-1060What initial and ongoing state training and registry system (STARS) training is required for child care center staff?170-295-0070 What personal characteristics do my volunteers, all staff and I need to provide care to children?170-295-1080 What topics must my new staff orientation include?170-295-1090 What kind of meetings or ongoing training must I provide my staff?

​Research indicates a clear connection between the education level of the adult caring for and teaching the child and child outcomes.

Specifically, adults with higher levels of formal education and specialized early childhood professional preparation send children off better prepared for school and life.

All children deserve the chance to start life ready to learn, succeed in school, and develop healthy relationships. Professional development of the workforce therefore is a priority in Washington State. Public-private partnerships, federal grants, and stakeholder commitments are driving the change. Professional development (PD) will allow you to:

Have deeper understandings of child development and early education issues than ever before.

Provide richer educational experiences for all children, including those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Engage children of varying abilities and backgrounds and connect with all families. Professional development is mandated and expected to increase in order for those caring for children to continually improve their skills. The standards and expectations for early learning professionals are defined by Washington State’s Department of Early Learning (DEL) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Registrations that are submitted after enrollment hours will be processed the next morning. You will receive an email with your log-in information to access the course within an hour after we open the next business day.